Swagger Wagon commercial

Shout out to all my "soccer mom car" owner friends :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUG3Z8Hxa5I&feature=player_embedded

Run, laugh, play, repeat.

We try to get out on a saturday morning and have some family time. Yesterday we went to a massive park near our house. It was so great to get out and have some fun. Emma ran and ran and ran! There is such delight in seeing a child enjoy themselves. She chased an ibis at one point until she was close enough to realise that she was smaller than the bird . . .She also had a good look at some ducks - her sound for a duck has always been "duck duck" not "quack quack". It's very cute.

Lyle said this photo looks like his cousins on his mothers side - at least we're beginning to figure out where Emma's looks come from!

having a look at the ducks - I love her pouty lips! (her forehead is not 'mis-shapen' [is that the right word?] she hit her head HARD on Friday night, leaving a stunning egg)

The running begins! We took loads of photos of her running, but I realised that as cute as it is to us, they pretty much all look the same, so I'm limiting my selection to one :)

Everyones favourite past time

After a few practice runs I managed to convince Lyle to let her go down the slippery dip without his assistance

(he looks nervous)

and she didn't even face-plant! :)

in case you're wondering what she's doing - she's waving at me

NB: This photo provides a brilliant view of her bump and bruise (socks so don't go with wooden floors!)

Emma LOVES older children. Here she's doing the 'I'm-laughing-so-hard-it-hurts' laugh

Finally we ended with some morning tea before going home for nap time!

Just because I haven't posted pictures in a while!

My stylish angel

She makes us so proud . . .I always laughed at parents whose children did this because I thought they'd be embarrassed at their children looking stupid . . .

(I'm hearing "pride comes before a fall")

This amazes me - that her hair is long enough to fit into a pony tail already!

With lots of clips of course :)

So Emma has been amazing me lately. I’m quite sure that she’s average with her development, but it is astounding to watch her grow. She has said so many words and ‘phrases’ - consisting of two words - that I’ve lost count. Sometimes it’s been one off like the other day she said “good job” after I said it, but hasn’t said it since. She also says "love you" but it always sounds like "wah wmble". We have no idea why there's a clear "B" sound in there, but "love you" always sounds the same. I’m also amazed at her comprehension, she certainly knows when she’s doing something wrong! But the up side to that she also understands when I tell her to stop, say sorry and have a happy heart! I’m glad to see her learning self control so early in life. It’ll help when number two comes along as well.

She often will give us the sweetest hugs - accompanied with an "ahhh" and kisses - unfortunately this week she has had a runny nose and still insists on kissing us on the lips! I’m getting good at dodging it, but then she strikes again until she gives you the kiss she wants to give you. Actually I'm pretty sure it's only me she does that to, i don't think she does that to anyone else - even Lyle!

Last night a friend babysat (actually a girl who I use to babysit when she was a baby!) and when Emma was ready for bed after having some books read to her, she said "no" pushed the book away and walked into her room and stood by her cot.

I love my little girl. Children truly are a blessing from the Lord!!

She makes us so proud . . .

Emma decided it was fun to push her face up against the glass doors on our back landing . . .she is such a clown!

At the park a couple of weekends ago - this photo melts our hearts :)

My Grandma's cooler than yours

This is my Grandmother. She's lovely. She's also very old, so I'm very impressed that she hopped on the swings at the park on Sunday afternoon! :)

Easter Sunday

I really enjoyed Easter this year. A few conversations I had around this weekend (here in Australia we have a four day weekend so it's basically a time for party/holiday for most) reminded me of the deepest loss those who don't know Christ have. It humbled me and reminded me that of the billions of people in all creation I am one of those chosen by God to know Him for His glory. That gave me joy this Easter weekend, and gives me joy every day. Praise the Lord for His glorious GRACE!

Speaking of grace, here's our Emma Grace - we could NOT get those fingers out long enough for a picture!

smiles

When I say to Emma "smile" (for the camera) she does! it's super cute.

Emma at 12 months

She's starting giving us lovely cuddles - with sound, she says "ahhhh". It's very cute!

I LOVE how she sits like this

Her hair is getting long and if I forget to put a clip in it she's forever pushing it out of the way!

With Jill when she was visiting from the States - Emma LOVES Jill. I do to! It was such a blessing to have her stay with us for a week.

At the park for afternoon tea.

Playing nicely. It was great she was very content to look around and play. She's getting so big!

Birthday Party

Emma's party was on Saturday afternoon. It was the most exhausting day of my life!

Playing with cousin Finn

With mummy, wearing a dress that grandma made!

Blowing out the candles! Aunty Belinda said that however many candles were left - that's how many boyfriends you'll have...so we helped to blow it out very quickly :)

Opening presents!! She has an apron on that was given to her, along with some Aussie animal cookie cutters, and she's looking at a Mem Fox book - Mem Fox is a famous Aussie author, every Aussie kid grew up reading her books.

This piece of cake belonged to daddy. But as the fork went up to daddy, Emma's mouth went wide open! She certainly doesn't open it this wide at dinner time . . .

And, here we are at the end of a very big day! An hour past bedtime too!

Happy First Birthday Emma

Our little girl is finally one! Phew. We made it! I just looked at Kim's blog - little Autumn was born the same day - and Kim just praised the Lord for the life of her little one and well, my sentiments are pretty much exactly the same! I know it is only by His grace that we have Emma in our lives and only through His sustaining her life that she is still with us. We are so grateful for our little gift. It has been a life changing year that has been filled with blessing after blessing. All I can really say is, Praise the Lord!

One week old (on her due date - she came a week early)

I tried to do a little photo shoot - but I'll tell you what, one year olds MOVE!

She's started sitting on her legs like this sometimes, so cute!

Her latest crawling style

Exploring

Walking is tough stuff, but she has the hang of it!

Meeting Emily

Emma's first birthday is on Friday, but on Monday my parents came over to give her an early birthday present. Her name is Emily. She's Emma's first baby doll and Emma LOVES her. She's actually in her cot right now talking . . .(hopefully it'll subside and I'll hear snoring soon!)

Reading the card

Yum, I'll try anything once!

Discovering Emily's nose (Emma can point to her own nose now, so it's lovely to have a doll to help learn body parts!)

Thank you Granny and Grandpa!

Swimming Lessons

In Australia there is a huge emphasis on water safety. Being such a hot country we love our beaches and our backyard pools. As a result, swimming lessons for children start from when they're 6 months old! Emma has had 4 lessons now, and she LOVES it. She isn't a great fan of her face going under but she has learned to take a big breath as we do our countdown which is wonderful. This morning was special because Daddy took time off to come and take some pictures. In fact, he took 230 pictures. That's why I've posted a lot :) Thank you Lyle!!

We start with kicking

and blowing bubbles
then we swim out towards a toy with our 'big arms'
yay!

then it's 'monkey monkey' the children learn to hold on to the side of the pool and move along the edge

Then its lots of different forms of jumping in the water. Off the side of the pool, off the step and off this floating mat which they either love or hate.

she's so brave

(the little boy in the background hates it...)

practicing our big arms

more kicking practice

then we end with some big jumps

Big breath as she comes up from under the water!

(she pulls some super funny faces)

then it's over to the side to climb out!

All done!